From Cain, the very first narcissist*, narcissists have used incomplete and fake repentance as a tool to avoid consequences of their actions, while not actually giving up their quest for what they want. It is a tactic for taking off the immediate heat, while avoiding any genuine heart change.

While it may not be obvious through a cursory look, Cain was likely the first human narcissist (Satan was the very first narcissist, see here). Let’s go through the Biblical evidence:

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The first clue that Cain was a narcissist with insolent pride is found here:

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1 John 3:12 – not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

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Being “of the evil one (Satan)” is similar to the way Jesus described the Pharisees….. “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Since the Pharisees were narcissists (see here and here) just like their father, Satan (see here and here), describing Cain in the same way as the Pharisees puts him in the same category.

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The other clues on Cain’s narcissism and insolent pride from his actions and reactions. There was a clear sequence……

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……..Evil was in Cain’s heart

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1 John 3:12 – not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

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…….But Cain still expected God to “like” the offering he made (but God’s view is that obedience is much more important than the sacrifice (I Samuel 15:22). When Cain didn’t get the positive response from God that he wanted, rather than repenting he 1. Got very angry, and 2. Started moping

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Genesis 4:5 – but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.

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……God then told Cain what he needed to do to fix things

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Genesis 4:7 – If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

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[Note: God’s instructions to the first narcissist (Cain) is a key for narcissists (scoffers with insolent pride) to know how to deal with their own narcisisstic tendencies.]

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….. Cain had a decision. He could take God’s instruction to “master” the sin inside him. But instead of repenting and seeking God, he decided to accept what was in his heart and to instead get rid of the competition who was “making him look bad”.

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Genesis 4:8 – Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

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……Then he lied about it

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Genesis 4:9 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

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……When he got caught in this 3rd infraction (evil heart, murder, lying about the murder) and was going to receive final judgment from the Lord, instead of repenting (its never too late until you die), he still was whining, complaining, and fighting, and twisting what God said.

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Genesis 4:13 – Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is too great to bear! 14 Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground [twisted what God had said in Genesis 4:11-12]; and from Your face I will be hidden [a lie – God didn’t say that], and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me [not true – drama king kind of statement].”

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Cain’s response to his judgment was a classic narcissistic response to the consequences of his actions.